3 killed in separate New Orleans incidents

STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL DEMOCKER
On Saturday, June 30, 2007, New Orleans Police investigate a shot up vehicle on the ramp at University Hospital after a man shot multiple times at Galvez and Conti was driven to the hospital.

Three people were killed in less than three hours Saturday night and early today, New Orleans Police reported.

A 26-year-old man was gunned down in the 1500 block of North Johnson Street early Sunday and a man was arrested in connection with the slaying later that same morning.

That slaying came on the heels of two back-to-back murders Saturday night, including a triple shooting that left two other men injured.

The first of those slayings occurred shortly after 10 p.m. when New Orleans police officers found a 33-year-old New Orleans man dead on the porch of a residence at 1440 Annette Street. The victim, whose name is being withheld pending notification of family, suffered stab wounds to the neck.

He was pronounced dead on the scene.

The second incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. when a 33-year-old man died from several gunshot wounds to his body, said Officer Jonette Williams, police spokeswoman.

Fifth District officers responded to a call of gunfire at 3023 Republic St. and found the victim lying on the porch with gunshot wounds to the torso. The man, whose name has not been released pending notification of relatives, was pronounced dead on the scene.

About a block and a half away, in the 1700 block of Agriculture Street, officers found a 21-year-old New Orleans man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the shoulder. He was brought by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment.

A third victim, another 21-year-old man, was brought to a hospital in a private car suffering from a gunshot wound to the back, Williams said.

Investigators said the three men were sitting on the porch of the house when someone approached and opened fire, Williams said.

Early Sunday afternoon, police announced the arrest of Kirk Williams, 23, in connection with the North Johnson Street murder, which occurred around 1 a.m. Sunday. The name of the victim has not been released, pending notification of family members.

According to investigators, First District Officers responding to a call found the victim lying in the driver's seat of a vehicle, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said Williams and his victim were longtime friends. He was arrested without incident around 6:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call Crimestoppers at 822-1111 or toll free at 1-877-903-7867. Callers do not have to give their names or testify and can earn up to $2,500 for tips that lead to an indictment.